Glasses/Lens thinning prices

Daniel86

Morning all,
I need some new glasses, I have a high prescription of +5 in one eye so I always go for the thinnest lenses. I'm confused by the price difference for the thinning from the various opticians I've looked at.
For example, the thinnest lenses from:

Vision express: £180
Boots: £170
Specsavers: £95
Local independent: £280
SpeckyFourEyes: £125

My question is, what is the difference between these? I believe the lenses are all the same thinness. Over the years I've been to various different opticians and not really noticed any difference in the service etc. I would like to support the small local companies over the large chains but 3x the price of Specsavers is a bit ridiculous.

pmduk

If you've a local Asda Opticians you'll probably find them even cheaper, AIUI they don't levy an additional charge for thinner lenses,

BananaRepublic

Daniel86 wrote: »

Morning all,
I need some new glasses, I have a high prescription of +5 in one eye so I always go for the thinnest lenses. I'm confused by the price difference for the thinning from the various opticians I've looked at.
For example, the thinnest lenses from:

Vision express: £180
Boots: £170
Specsavers: £95
Local independent: £280
SpeckyFourEyes: £125

My question is, what is the difference between these? I believe the lenses are all the same thinness. Over the years I've been to various different opticians and not really noticed any difference in the service etc. I would like to support the small local companies over the large chains but 3x the price of Specsavers is a bit ridiculous.

The thInness of the lens is proportional to the index of refraction ie how much the lens material bends light. You want to find out what IoR the above quotes are for. That may explain some price difference. It could be that one quote is for polycarbonate and another for a more expensive higher index plastic. The latter will be thinner.

The independent will usually be the most expensive because they have higher overheads and higher profit margins, due to fewer customers. SpecSavers operate on a pile ‘em high sell ‘em cheap basis. SpeckyFourEyes being online probably have lower overheads and lower profit margins.

Another factor that influences price is the lens brand eg Zeiss, as well as the coatings. SpecSavers will I assume use a generic brand of lens which will be cheaper, and not necessarily worse. Anti reflection coatings add cost, as does a hard coating. I suspect the coatings a much the same unless you go for high end ones and even then you might not notice any difference.

My glasses have polycarbonate lenses from Zeiss, with high end coatings that reduce reflections, with a hard coat and a coating that repels water and reduces condensation. The latter does work well. I do a lot of ice skating, and reducing condensation is of benefit to me. My old glasses steamed up regularly on the rink. I went to an independent optician for the simple reason that I could not get my frames elsewhere. But I’ve been to SpecSavers and found them to be very good.

Tigsteroonie

Yes, I'd say you need to ask all of those opticians to what degree their lenses are actually thinned - 1.5, 1.67 etc.

I've always used Asda since I discovered they don't charge extra for thinner lenses

BananaRepublic

Incidentally you can see the prices these people quote for glass and plastic lenses of various index:

https://www.thinlenses.co.uk/high-index-lenses/

The plastic ones are quite cheap but presumably coatings will add extra cost. You could of course buy a frame on the high street and have it glazed by an online company.

luvchocolate

I have used Asda for a few years now and very happy with their thinned down lenses.
I have a friend with a very poor sight and usually pays around £400 at a local optician, this time she tried Asda and paid £119 for 2 pairs, she was told if she was not happy with their standard thinned lenses if she returned them within 3 months they would upgrade to even thinner lenses and would only need to pay the difference in the lenses.
You really cannot loose.

celcat

I have just bought new lenses/glasses and my precription is worse than yours. I have had glasses over the years from Specsavers, Tescos, Asda and Boots. IMHO Boots win hands down each time for quality, thoroughness of assessment and customer care after you have got your glasses. I've stayed with Boots and have gone for the best lens (thin, ultra light, UV protection etc) and it's cost me just under £400 including frames. I can take my glasses back in the first year if they get scratched or the coating comes off.